Fixtures & League Update for 2018

The fixtures for the 1st XI and 2nd XI for 2018 have now been announced along with the Worsley Cup Draw and the T20 competition. Information regarding changes to the 3rd XI structure is also available.

League

In 2018 there are currently 24 teams in the league. Each club will play each other once with the teams finishing in the top 12 positions creating league division 1 in 2019 and those in the bottom 12 positions forming league division 2 in 2019. In 2018 the 2nd XI fixtures will be the reverse fixture to the 1st XI with the 2nd XI league then splitting into 2 separate divisions in 2019 based on the 2nd XI 2018 standings. The season theoretically starts on Sunday 15 April with the 1st XI at home v Clitheroe. Full fixtures for the remainder of the season can be found via the link below.

16 clubs compete in round 1 of the two 50 over cup competitions in 2018 with the other 8 clubs receiving a buy. This means there is now one additional round in the competition compared to past years. HCC have been handed a challenging round 1 tie with our 1st XI travelling to Lowerhouse on Sunday 6 May whilst our 2nd XI will host Lowerhouse at CDM Windows Bentgate. All cup fixtures can be found via the link below.

Some semblance of order has been returned to the T20 competition for 2018 with 4 regionalised groups of 6 teams being drawn. The top two teams in each group will proceed to the quarter final knock outs. HCC are in Division A East and we start the competition on Friday 1 June with a home match against local rivals Ramsbottom quickly followed by another home game v Rawtenstall on Friday 8 June. Full fixtures can be found on the link below.

The introduction of further clubs to the league structure has also necessitated a rethink as to how the 3rd XI league should operate. The league has been split into 3 initial groups with each team in the group playing each other twice. The winners of each group will then play off to decide the overall champion. Fixtures have not yet been announced, however the league groupings can be seen via the link below.